Namaste Ravi, tell me and the readers a little bit about you!
I am Ravi Batra, 24 born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I recently, graduated from Georgia state university with a biology degree and plan to pursue a career in healthcare. I ultimately would like to become a physician assistant and for now I am going to nursing school to become a registered nurse. I am a humanitarian and activist and hope to see change in my life.
Well I have only encountered racism once with this "twink-ish" talking about curry and going back to my country. And this friend who I think was just joking around but comparing me to being Muslim. I know he is welcoming of all faiths and cultures though so I know he was joking. However, I think that it has to do with how they were raised and not that they were LGBT.
Makes sense, do you think its harder being gay and desi in America than India?
No, I think it’s a lot easier actually due to the fact that in India, people are even more harshly discriminated. Not saying everywhere it is mostly the rural areas. However, I think gays in India are probably a lot different than South Asian Americans, who are gay because it’s a different culture there. Here there is a melting pot of cultures interacting, whereas there it is primarily just Indian cultures having influences.
What was your coming out experience, and did you experience any backlash from friends or family?
(You can show my video if you want for that) but I don't know if backlash is the right word. My mom was really upset and still struggles with it, but she is starting to respect it. I think my dad is supportive though for the most part. We don't really talk about it much but from what I know he doesn't decimate against me because he believes from discussing with me it is something that cannot be changed. Like my parents, my mom is more comfortable with it, but my dad says he doesn't understand it and is not trying too.
I would refer them to seeking out other gay desi's and understanding that they're not alone. At first I felt very unique (sometimes I still do) in being the whole South Asian American who is gay. There were other gay Indians that I knew about but they were either immigrants to America or more into Indian subculture than I. Then I started explore more and meeting other individuals similar to myself and being able to discuss our experiences and it helped me a lot.
Sounds like you were regarding to me on the part of more onto Indian subculture than I... lol In the media, we rarely see a South Asian gay male, how do you feel about this?
It is true, but in the media we barely see south Asian at all. They are just now beginning to come up with Aziz Ansari and Jay Sean to list just a couple. So although it sucks that the diversity is still little, I think that there is time.
Do you agree or disagree with the statement "being gay is not for white people, being gay doesn't make less a south Asian!"
Lol, I don’t understand, what does being gay have to do with race? Although some races have their LGBT sub community from sub culture, I don't think the statement is referring to that.
It was a statement by another desi writer, he said all he saw was white gay males and felt that he being desi and gay wasn't right because of what he saw on TV.
Ooh okay, I say no, I never felt that way
Omg yes, for the longest time. I felt like I needed to shave my body to get guys to like me. I felt like the media portrayed the "white skinny twink" as the preferred male of sexual interest. It wasn't until I started meeting people who are more communicative about their interest in hairy men, and getting a scruff for a few months then. I realized that it was the media that portrayed that; and that I am beautiful the way I am. I don't need to shave or be underweight to find love.
Omg, I am going to start crying! You are very beautiful! Have you experienced more racism or heterosexism, than homophobia being gay and desi?
I haven't had much of a problem of either actually. I grew up in a diverse area. Although I was a minority for a few years at my middle and high school, there were other Indians. And there were one or two gays. I always met people nonlinear though they were gay I didn't feel any less great bring who I am, when I came out in high school. I actually felt superior, because I was unique and different. I didn't spread it in people’s faces because I was more a nerd than an outward gay guy. But I didn't experience much homophobia or heterosexism. When I got to Georgia State it was even better. Everyone at my school was so welcoming of me being gay. Wow we have so much in common both of us came out in high school, but I did the whole desi move and said I was bi, but a few months after I came out as gay.
Haha I did that too Haha really! It’s an easy way out
Lol. Exactly!
Even after coming out do you feel pressure to get married?
Yes, very much so! I have to figure out how to avoid that.
Have you ever thought of marrying a lesbian? They have these dating websites in China for gay men and lesbians to marry for their family?
Lol. It was a passing thought as a joke, but not seriously no. I want to marry a man. I want to show a man; my public commitment to our monogamous and love.
Aw I do want a big shaadi, with lots of colors and maybe an elephant or two. What would you like the future of gaysi to be?
I think I want the future of gay desi is to be able to talk about homosexuality without taboo, for it to show up in movies not as a parody but genuine love and part of society. I want Indians, especially Hindus, to realize that Hinduism does not condemn homosexuality but welcomes love of all kinds.
Who is your favorite movie and Actor/Actress?
Hmm favorite movies is mean girls, and easy A Lol and Devil Wears Prada! Actress is I guess Emma Stone and Anne Hathaway.
Thank you for your time, where can people contact toy to know more about you?
My Facebook, twitter, and tumblr are all zzravizz. And by email ravihrcAtlanta@gmail.com
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